- Credibility:
WICKER PARK — Two aldermen are calling for the closure of Wicker Park nightclub evilOlive after a bouncer was critically wounded in a shooting there overnight Wednesday.
The shooting happened at 3:44 a.m. Wednesday at the bar, 1551 W. Division St., when a bouncer got into a fight with an armed person who fired several shots at him, police said.
The bouncer was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in critical condition, where he remained Wednesday afternoon, according to police and Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd).
A spokesperson for the bar said they would not comment further on the bouncer’s injuries “at the request of his family and out of respect for his privacy.”
In an email newsletter to ward residents Wednesday, Hopkins said he has already requested the immediate shutdown of the Division Street bar.
“I have spoken with 12th District Police Commander, and requested the City institute Summary Closure on the grounds that EvilOlive poses an immediate public safety threat,” Hopkins wrote. “I have a no tolerance policy for businesses that cannot maintain a secure environment for patrons, and pose a safety threat to the public.”
Hopkins said police already are following several leads, and that a weapon was recovered from the scene.
The summary closure ordinance allows for the city to shut down a business immediately if a violent incident occurs there.
Ald. Joe Moreno (1st), whose ward is close to the bar, echoed Hopkins’ sentiments.
“Although it is technically not my ward, I am calling for a summary closure and will be placing them in deleterious impact hearings next month,” Moreno said.
Moreno said the bouncer is in his thoughts and prayers.
evilOlive is owned by Marcin Kawa and Radoslav Hawryszczk, state records show. Kawa is also the owner of Little Olive Lounge at 1540 N. Milwaukee Ave., which celebrated its grand opening last week in the former Crocodile Lounge, which Hawryszczk had long operated before stepping down last year after a series of intermittent closures and openings and an eventual eviction.
Hawryszcuk is also a partner in Evil Olive but he does not actively operate the business, a spokeswoman for Kawa told Block Club in June.
In his email to residents, Hopkins said he would do everything he can to shut down the bar.
“evilOlive’s inability to meet these [safety] standards is unacceptable,” Hopkins wrote. “As a result, I will be seeking the maximum penalty allowed, pursuant to the ordinance.”
